Difference Between Minister and Pastor

Main Difference

The main difference between minister and pastor is that a minister is a man who executes spiritual functions to edify the body of Christ such as the prayer team, the choir, the band/instrumentalists, etc. and a pastor is a man or woman who accepted God and received training to be an undershepherd of God’s flock.

Minister vs. Pastor

A minister of the gospel is anyone who has been appointed and may or may not hold any particular job. According to the Bible, a pastor is a person holding an office. The pastor must meet specific criteria or qualification to become one. The word minster is derived from the Latin word monasterium. This term was applied to all the communities who devote their lives to their religion (Christianity), regardless of their gender or the activities in which they were typically engaged. The word pastor is derived from the Greek word “poimain,” which means “shepherd.” A minister is known as a preacher and generally has to be officially ordained into his position. In the book of Titus, the pastor is described typically as an elder. In this way, they must act as the area’s overseers who will shepherd God’s church. This statement clearly shows that a pastor is an elder. Ministers are mainly found in the Protestant setup. In the Roman Catholic view, the pastor is the priest of a specific parish (one single church community) unlike in the Protestant view wherein it is more of a job title offered to someone who can work as the religious head. Being ordained as a minister means that the very person is duly acknowledged as a trusted, religious figure or authority. Pastors are appointed in every city or district. An ordained minister is not assumed to perform the duties of a pastor. Whereas, pastors are assumed to be able to perform the duties of a minister.

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Comparison Chart

Minister

Pastor

A clergyman or religious head who has devoted his life to the Christian observance

What is Minister?

The word minster is derived from the Latin word monasterium. Minister is a general term which means a “servant.” It is mostly used in Protestant churches to refer to the clergy (local church leaders). A minister of the gospel is anyone who has been appointed and may or may not hold any particular job. This term is applied to all the communities who devote their lives to serve their religion (Christianity), regardless of the gender of the occupants or the activities in which they are typically engaged. Minister is generally found in the Protestant setup and is known as a preacher, and generally has to be officially ordained into his position. Being ordained as a minister means that the very person is duly acknowledged as a trusted religious figure or authority. A person can be a minister without being a pastor or performing religious activities before his ordination. The premise of a minister is typically found in Protestant churches.

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What is Pastor?

The word Pastor conveys the idea of leading and feeding God’s people. In Protestantism, this title is given to someone who can function as a religious head. The term pastor derives from the Greek word “poimain,” which means “shepherd.” According to the Bible, a pastor is a person of specific criteria or qualification holding an office. In the book of Titus, the pastor is described typically as an elder. In this way, they must act as the area’s overseers who will shepherd the church of God. This statement clearly shows that a pastor is an elder. In the Roman Catholic view, the pastor is the priest of a specific parish (one single church community) unlike in the Protestant view wherein it is more of a job title offered to someone who can work as the religious head. Pastors are appointed in every city or district. In the modern setting, a pastor’s description differs depending on the denominations. In Roman Catholic circles, pastors are priests assigned to a specific parish of a single church community. Moreover, Titus 1:5-9 highlights some important qualifications of a pastor.

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Qualifications of a Pastor

He must be a man above reproach.

He should have only one wife.

He must possess the following qualities: temperate, prudent, hospitable, respectable, good teacher, not a wine addict, peace-loving, non-aggressive gentle, and not easily enslaved by the passion of money

He should be the father of his household.

He should not be a newly converted individual and must bear irrefutable respect from people outside the church.

Key Differences

A minister is known as a preacher, and generally has to be officially ordained into his position whereas, a pastor is someone who can function as a religious head.

A minister of the gospel is anyone who has been appointed and may or may not hold any particular job; on the other hand; a pastor is a person holding an office.

An ordained minister is not assumed to perform the duties of a pastor conversely pastor is considered to be able to perform the duties of a minister.

The pastor is someone who can work as the religious head on the flip side being ordained as a minister means that the very person is duly acknowledged as a trusted, religious figure or authority.

The term minster is derived from the Latin word “monasterium”. While the term pastor is derived from the Greek word “poimain,” which means “shepherd.”.

Conclusion

Both minister and pastor are the well-known terms in the faculty of the clergy of the religion Christianity.